Portfolio Manager - Liability and Property
Udam has nearly 20 years’ experience in insurance and risk management. Since joining LGIS, he has worked with WA local governments specialising in risk management and has served as account manager to a number of Scheme members. Udam now manages the Property and Liability portfolios of your Scheme. In this role, Udam is responsible for coverage, claims strategy, pricing and (re)insurance purchased by the Scheme to protect members.
Micro-mobility options are powered by lithium-ion batteries which pose a serious safety risk for people and property alike if not stored, maintained, and recycled/disposed of properly.
In March this year, Australia recorded the first fatality from a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery house fire; and by April 2024 there had been 1,000 lithium-ion battery fires nationally in the past 15 months. As the pace of e-mobility devices speeds up so does the risk of associated fires, so it’ vital that asset managers act now to reduce the hazard. From a WA perspective the Department of Fire and Emergency Services reported a doubling of lithium-ion battery fires in 2023.
A glimpse of the future can be seen in the UK which is far ahead of WA and Australia with e-mobility usage. In 2023, the London Fire Brigade attended an Li-ion fire incident every two days (on average). From 2020 to 2023 e-mobility usage exploded in the UK leading to a corresponding 300% increase in fires from the same devices.
A recent case involving the Shire of Denmark and a tourist turned on
whether pea gravel at the bottom of some stairs was an obvious risk and
what is the extent of a local government’s duty of care in relation to obvious risks.
LGIS, together with WorkCover WA and legal partners Mills Oakley and Moray & Agnew have delivered four sector specific information sessions on the new Workers Compensation and Injury Management Act (2023) WA.
Members have been asking ‘How do we manage the use and charging of e-scooter and bikes (micro-mobility)?’. Charging stations and facilities have already been made available by some members while others are considering the potential benefits.
LGIS recommends that all members read the London Fire Brigade’s ‘Safety Guidance Note GN103: charging and storage for electric power personal vehicles. It covers premises management, safe charging, and storage. This advice should be considered in addition to the guide LGIS previously provided to members on the risks of EV charging stations and location selection.
Members should educate their staff, visitors, and users of their premises about the risks involved to promote responsible use.
There’s less than eight weeks to go before we say goodbye to 2023/24 and the vast majority of members have completed their declarations for the 2024/25 membership year.
Across Western Australia local governments create and deliver spaces that welcome everyone – from libraries to recreation centres and playgrounds. These services and facilities foster community connection but unfortunately they can also witness anti-social behaviour.
CCTV, alarms and dedicated security may require significant investment (depending on scope), but for those local governments who have identified serious hazards associated with ASB, it’s an investment that may be warranted. When considering these options, it’s important to consider not just the initial investment but the ongoing commitment of resources.
LGIS is the unifying name for the dedicated suite of risk financing and management services for WA local governments, established by the WA Local Government Association in conjunction with JLT Public Sector (part of the Marsh group of companies). LGIS is managed by JLT Public Sector (ABN 69 009 098 864 AFS Licence 226827).
Risk Matters, via this website, is designed to keep members, their staff and elected members informed on topical risk management and insurance issues and LGIS programs and services.
